Judith Herrell Named CEO of Herrell's Ice Cream; Steve Herrell Takes Sabbatical

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Jan. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Judith Herrell, president and owner of Herrell’s Ice Cream Corporation and its parent company, Herrell’s Development Corporation, was named CEO of Herrell’s Ice Cream, effective January 1.  Judy takes on this role in addition to her current responsibilities, as Steve Herrell, founder of Herrell’s Ice Cream and founder of the original Steve’s Ice Cream in Somerville, Mass., announced that he is taking a year-long sabbatical as a prelude to his retirement, effective January 1.

“Steve has been an innovator in the ice cream industry for over 40 years, including his over 33 years with Herrell’s Ice Cream,” offered Judy Herrell.  “Steve and I have been business partners in Herrell’s Ice Cream for nearly 30 years.  We have collaborated on ice cream flavors, business operations and opportunities, and all other aspects of operating Herrell’s and its affiliated companies.  Needless to say, we have not only been business partners in the ownership of Herrell’s, but are great friends.  As Steve approaches his 70^th birthday, we all agreed that it is a good time for him to step back, enjoy the accolades of his success, and finally take a little time off.

“But don’t expect Steve to just sit around,” continued Judy Herrell.  “He is the Flavor Master, and will still be involved in creating more great products like the ones that have already made Herrell’s famous!”

“I have reaped great rewards in my work at Herrell’s, from customers and the community in general,” stated Steve Herrell.  “I thank everyone for their patronage and friendship over the years.  I have every confidence in my partner Judy to carry forth the Herrell’s banner for excellence and good times.”

Steve Herrell plans to devote his newfound time to his many other interests, including movie-making, writing about his varied experiences in ice cream, linguistics, creating music, and cleaning out his basement (which one of his staffers once called a “wonderland”), as well as continuing to be a vital part of the Northampton community, where he currently lives and plays.

About Herrell’s Ice Cream

Back in 1973, Steve Herrell had a dream:  to open an ice cream store that served the highest quality, best tasting ice cream and toppings to be found anywhere. He revolutionized America’s stagnant ice cream industry when he founded the original Steve’s Ice Cream in Somerville, Mass., and thereby pioneered the renaissance of homemade, fresh, “gourmet” ice cream. By the end of the first day in business, he had gone through his entire stock of 32 gallons.

By mechanically altering a small batch commercial freezer, Steve produced an extraordinarily rich, creamy, low-air ice cream. He was the first person to grind Heath Bars, Reese’s cups, and other name-brand confections and mix them into ice cream. He introduced “Smoosh-ins®” to the world and thereby gave birth to our passion for flavors such as Heath Bar Crunch and Cookies ‘n’ Cream, now classics everywhere and staples in today’s ice cream industry. With his flavoring expertise, he created luscious hot fudge sauces to ladle onto his remarkable ice cream. Steve Herrell and his outstanding ice cream and toppings gained national attention….and a legend was born.

After selling the original Steve’s Ice Cream in 1977, Steve could not stay out of the ice cream business. In 1980, he opened Herrell’s Ice Cream in Northampton, Mass., with all of his original recipes and again gained national recognition, dazzling the ice cream industry. The success of Herrell’s Ice Cream has resulted in many industry copycats, but the quality of the ice cream and toppings has never been matched. Herrell’s Ice Cream is still going strong, over three decades later.

Herrell’s Ice Cream Flagship Store is located at 8 Old South Street (Thorne’s Marketplace) in Northampton, Mass.  (Herrell’s Ice Cream Huntington is located in Huntington, N.Y.)  Herrell’s Ice Cream is also available at Lickety Split in Williamstown, Mass.; Richardson Candy Kitchen in Deerfield, Mass.; and Mo’s Fudge Factor in Shelburne Falls, Mass.  For additional information about Herrell’s Ice Cream, or for franchising information, visit www.herrells.com or call 413-575-7896.